Hospital bed bath



March 19, 1968 R. J. SCHMIDT 3,373,451

HOSPITAL BED BATH Filed Aug. 9, 1965- United States Patent 3,373,451 HSPHTAL BED BATH Richard J. Schmidt, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Richard J. Schmidt Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 478,271 9 Claims. (Cl. 4-17'7) ABSTRACT or Tan nrscLosURE A bathing device comprising a flexible sheet having a base for resting on a mattress and having integral side and end wall portions, and means cooperating with the mattress and engageable with the wall portions for supporting the same in an upright position.

My present invention relates to a device suitable for bathing bedridden patients without removing them from their beds, for therapeutic purposes such as the treatment of burns covering major portions of a patients body, and for the promotion of post-surgical healing, such, for eX- ample, as after hemorrhoidectomies.

In connection with bathing, and therapeutic treatment, of bedridden patients, it has been proposed to provide a `flexible sheet of water-repellant material having a base portion resting on the mattress of the bed and having integral side and end wall portions surrounding the base, which when erected form the sheet into a tub. It has also been proposed to provide cord means along the upper edges of the side and end wall portions of the sheet, and bracket means cooperating with the mattress and engageable with the cord means for supporting the side and end wall portions in an upright position. One shortcoming of this arrangement is that the side wall portions tend to sag due to the non-rigidity of the cord means extending therealong.

It is an object of my present invention to provide a bathing device, as described, wherein rigid means is carried by each of the side wall portions and is connected at the ends thereof to the supporting bracket means whereby to prevent the side wall portions of the tub from sagging when the tub is in erected position.

It is another object of my present invention to provide a bathing device, as described, wherein the rigid means iS in the form of pole members extending through openended channels formed along the upper edges of the side wall portions.

It is a further object of my present invention to provide a bathing device, as described, wherein the pole members are comprised of intertting sections and the channels of the side wall portions are formed with longitudinally spaced elongated openings to facilitate manipulation of the sections of the pole members during assembly and disassembly of the device.

Now in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and using bathing and therapeutic devices incorporating the principles of my present invention, I shall describe in connection with the accompanying drawing, a preferred embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of the bathing and therapeutic device of my present invention supported on a bed;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the bathing and therapeutic device of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the bathing and therapeutic device of FIGURE l, with portions being broken away to show the supporting bracket member and pole members to advantage;

FIGURE 4 is an end elevational view of the bathing and therapeutic device of FIGURE l; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the connection between two of the sections of one of the pole members.

Referring now to the drawing, there is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1t) a bathing and therapeutic device incorporating the principles of my present invention.

The bathing device 10 includes a tub-like member 12 comprised of a generally rectangular base portion 14, longitudinal side wall portions |16 and 18, and end wall portions 20 and 22. The tub member 12 may be fabricated of any water-proofed flexible sheet 'material capable of withstanding dry heat and gas sterilization, and preferably is fabricated of a vinyl coated or silicone treated textile fabric. The vertical edges of the side and end wall portions are sealingly secured to each other at the corners by close-stitched sewing, or by water-resistant cement, or both.

Due to the use of flexible sheet material, the side and end wall portions of the tub member 12 may be folded inwardly and downwardly against the base portion to provide an overall flat article. This arrangement facilitates not only storage of the device but also erection and use as will be described in detail hereinafter. When the tub member 12 is to be collapsed, the side wall portions 16 and 18 may be first folded against the base portion 14 and the end wall portions 20 and 22 then folded to overlie the side wall portions 16 and 18. Alternatively, if desired, the end wall portions 20 and 22 may be rst folded against the base portion 14 and the side wall portions 16 and 18 then folded to overlie the end wall portions Z and 22. In any case, the side wall portions 16 and 18 are preferably dimensioned so that they do not overlap or touch when folded; as a result, unfolding of the tub member 12 is made easier, especially when a person is lying on the folded tub member.

The upper edges of the side and end wall portions 16, 18, 2i) and 22, respectively, are folded back a short distance upon themselves and suitably stitched lengthwise whereby to deine open-ended channel portions 24, 26, 28 and 3d extending about the tub member 12. In addition, the side channel portions 24 and 26 each have longitudinally spaced elongated openings or cut-outs 32, 34 and 36 formed therealong. Extending through the four channel portions 24, 26, 28 and 30 is a continuous cord 38 with the free ends thereof being suitably tied together and with loop portions projecting outwardly of the open ends of the channels at the four corners of the tub 12. Also extending through each of the side channel portions 2d and 26 is a pole member in the form of three interiitting tubular sections 40, 42 and 44. Each intermediate section 42 is formed with opposed reduced end portions 46 (FIGURE 5) which are adapted to be received, with a snug friction fit, within the adjacent ends of the outer sections 40 and 44. The pole members serve to prevent the upper edges of the side wall portions 16 and 18 from sagging when the tub member 12 is in erected position.

The bathing device lil further includes a pair of bracket members 48, fabricated of bar or tubular stock, positioned at each end of the tub member 12. Each bracket member 48 is comprised of a generally U-shaped horizontal base portion 50, upwardly extending post portions 52, and a generally C-shaped horizontal bridge portion 54 interconnecting the posts 52 near their upper free ends. The transversely spaced horizontal mounting extension ends of the bridge portions 54 are formed as reduced end porjtions 56 which are adapted to be received, with a snug friction iit, within the adjacent ends of the outer pole sections 40 and 44. Additionally, the upper free ends 3 of the posts 52 of the bracket members 48 are adapted to receive the loop portions of the cord 38.

A typical bed with which the bathing and therapeutic device of my present invention may be used is indicated generally by the reference numeral 58 in FIGURE 1. The bed 58 comprises a head member 60, a foot member 62, framework 64 interconnecting the head and foot members 60 and 62, and a mattress 66 supported on the framework 64. As shown in the drawing, the U-shaped base portions 50 of the bracket members 48 are positioned under the mattress 66 at opposite ends of the bed; and the tub member 12 is supported in erect position, by means of both the pole members connected with the ends of the bridge portions 54 of the bracket members 48 and the loop portions of the cord 38 disposed over the free ends of the posts 52 of the bracket members 48, with the base portion 14 of the tub 12 resting on the mattress 66.

To bathe, or therapeutically treat, a patient lying in bed, the patient is first rolled over to one side of the bed. The bracket members 48 are positioned with their base portions 50 disposed beneath the mattress 66, and the tub 12 is laid next to the patient with the adjacent side wall 18 folded outwardly and slightly underlying the patients body. The patient is then carefully rolled over on top of the tub 12 and the remaining side and end wall porftions 16, 20 and 22 are partially unfolded so that the device is opened with the patient lying along the longitudinal center. Next, the loop portions of the cord 38, either as or after the free ends of the cord are tied together, are pulled up and over the free ends of the posts 52 of the bracket members 48 whereupon the tub 12 assumes the general shape shown in FIGURE 1. Then, the pole sections 40 and 44 are inserted into the side channels 24 and 26 through the open ends thereof while the center pole sections 42 are inserted into the channel portions 24 and 26 through either one of the openings 32, 34 or 36 therein. At this point, the reduced end portions 46 of the intermediate pole sections 42 may be slidingly intertted with the adjacent ends of the outer pole sections 40 and 44. If desired, the sections 40, 42 and 44 of each pole member may be first interitted and then inserted as a unit in the side wall channels 24 and 26 through the open ends thereof. Finally, the ends of the outer pole sections 40 and 44 are slid over the reduced end portions 56 of the bridge portions 54 of the bracket members 48. There is enough give or allowable rocking movement of the bracket members 48 away from each other to accommodate the interconnection of the pole sections 40, 42 and 44 and bridge portions 54. The tub may now be filled with water and the patient bathed or otherwise treated.

When the bathing operation is completed, the water can be removed from the tub 12 by means of a siphon, or through an outlet drain provided in the bottom of the tub 12. After the water has been removed from the tub 12, the pole sections 40, 42 and 44 .are disconnected from each other and from the bridge portions 54 of the bracket members 48, and the loop portions of the cord 38 are removed from the free ends of the posts 52 of the bracket members 48. Then, the patient may be rolled to one side of the tub 12 and the tub suitably folded and removed from the bed. It will be appreciated that the channel openings 32, 34 and 36 facilitate manipulation, and visual observance, of the pole sections 40, 42 and 44 during assembly and disassembly of the bathing device 10. It will `also be -appreciated that the tub 12 may be conveniently cleaned and sterilized between uses.

While I have shown and described what I believe to be a preferred embodiment of my present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various rearrangements and modiiications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A device Vfor use in bathing a person lying on a mattress supported on a bed, comprising a pair of mounting brackets spaced at opposite ends of the bed, each of said brackets having a base positionable under the mattress and having transversely spaced mounting extensions, a flexible sheet of water-repellent material having a base for resting on the mattress and having integral side and end wall portions surrounding said base, a pole member carried by each of said side wall portions, and the ends of said pole members being connected with said mounting extensions of said brackets whereby to support said side wall portions in an upright position.

2. A device for use in bathing a person lying on a mattress supported on a bed, comprising a pair of mounting brackets spaced at opposite ends of the bed, each of said brackets having a base positionable under the mattress and having transversely spaced mounting extensions, a llexible sheet of water-repellant material having a base for resting on the mattress and having integral side and end wall portions surrounding said base, each of said side and end wall portions having an open-ended channel extending along the upper edges thereof, a oord extending through said channels and having loop portions projecting out of the operi ends of said channels and being engageable with said mounting brackets, a pole member extending through each of said channels of said side wall portions, and the ends of said pole members being connected with said mounting extensions of said brackets whereby to support said side wall portions in ari upright position.

3. A device for use in bathing a person lying on a mattress supported on a bed, comprising a pair of mounting brackets spaced at opposite ends of the bed, each of said brackets having a base positionable under the mattress and having transversely spaced mounting extensions, a flexible sheet of water-repellent material having a base for resting on the mattress and having integral side and end wall portions surrounding said base, each of said side wall portions having ari open-ended channel extending along the upper edges thereof, a pole member with intertting sections extending through each of said channels of said side wall portions, the ends of said pole members being connected with said mounting extensions, a flexible sheet of water-repellent material wall portions in an upright position, and said channels of said side wall portions having a plurality of longitudinally spaced elongated openings to facilitate manipulation of said sections of said pole members during assembly and disassembly of said device.

4. A device for use in bathing a person lying on a mattress supported on a bed, comprising a flexible sheet of water-repellent material having a base for resting on the mattress and having integral side and end wall portions surrounding said base, each of said side wall portions having an open-ended channel extending along the upper edges thereof, a pole member with inter-fitting sections extending through each of said channels of said side wall portions, means cooperating with the mattress and engageable with the ends of said pole members for supporting said side wall portions in an upright position, and said channels of said side wall portions having a plurality of longitudinally spaced elongated openings to facilitate manipulation of said sections of `said pole members during assembly and disassembly of said device.

5. A device for use in bathing a person lying on a mattress supported on a bed, comprising a flexible sheet of water-repellent material having a base for resting on the mattress and having integral side and end wall portions surrounding said base, each of said side and end wall portions having an open-ended channel extending along the upper edges thereof, a cord extending through said channels and having loop portions projecting out of the open ends of said channels, a pole member with interfitting sections extending through each of Said channels of said side wall portions, means cooperating with the mattress and engageable with said loop portions of said cord and the ends of said pole members for supporting said side and end Wall portions in an upright position, and said channels of said side wall portions having longitudinally spaced elongated openings to facilitate manipulation of said sections of said pole members during assembly and disassembly of said device.

6. A device for use in bathing a person lying on a mattress supported on a bed, comprising a pair of mounting brackets spaced at opposite ends of the bed, each of said brackets having transversely spaced horizontal mounting extensions, a flexible sheet of waterrepellent material having :a base for resting on the mattress and having integral side and end Wall portions surrounding said base, a pole member carried by each of said `side wall portions, and the ends of said pole members being connected with said mounting extensions of said brackets whereby to support said side wall portions in an upright position.

7. A device for use in bathing a person lying on a mattress supported on a bed, comprising a pair of mounting brackets spaced at opposite ends of the bed, each of said brackets having a U-shaped base positionable under the mattress and having upwardly extending posts interconnected adjacent their free ends by a C- shaped bridge, a flexible sheet of water-repellent material having a base for resting on the mattress and having integral side and end wall portions surrounding said base, each of said side and end wall portions having an Open-ended channel extending along the upper edges thereof, a cord extending through said channels and having loop portions projecting out of the' open ends of said channels and being disposed over said free ends of said posts, a pole member extending through each of said channels of said side Wall portions, and the ends of said pole members being connected with the ends of said C-shaped bridges of said brackets.

8. A device for use in bathing a person lying on a mattress supported on a bed, comprising a pair of mounting brackets spaced at opposite ends of the bed, each of said brackets having a U-shaped base positionable under the mattress and having upwardly extending posts interconnected adjacent their free ends by a C-shaped Ibridge, a ilexible sheet of water-repellent material having a base for resting on the mattress and having integral side and end wall portions surrounding said base, each of said side wall portions having an open-ended channel extending along the upper edges thereof, a pole member with interiitting sections extending through each of said channels of said side wall portions, the ends of said pole members being connected with the ends of said C-shaped bridges of said brackets, and said channels of said side wall portions having longitudinally spaced elongated openings to facilitate manipulation of said sections of said pole members during assembly and disassembly of said device.

9. A device for use in bathing a person lying on a mattress supported on a bed comprising a pair of mounting brackets spaced at opposite ends of the bed, each of said brackets having a U-shaped base positionable under the mattress and Ihaving upwardly extending posts interconnected adjacent their free ends by a C-shaped bridge, a flexible sheet of water-repellent material having a base for resting on the mattress and having integral side and end wall portions surrounding said base, each of said side and end wall portions having an open-ended channel extending .along the upper edges thereof, a cord extending through said channels and having loop portions projecting out of the open ends of said channels and being disposed over said free ends of said posts, a pole member with interitting sections extending through each of said channels of said side wall portions, the ends of said pole -members being connected with the ends of said C-shaped bridges of said brackets, and said channels of said side wall portions having longitudinally spaced elongated openings to facilitate manipulation of said sections of said pole member yduring assembly and disassembly of said device.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 559,974 5/ 1896 Gorham 5--317 1,237,628 8/1917 Ford 4-177 X 1,664,887 4/ 1928 Kirkham et al. 4-177 2,736,131 2/1956 Lewis 5-31'7 X FOREIGN PATENTS 104,977 5/1924 Switzerland.

332,315 8/ 1903 France.

HAROLD I. GROSS, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE CERTIFICATE 0E CORRECTION Patent No. 3,373,451 March 19, 1968 Richard J. Schmidt It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as showm below:

Column 4, line 43, after "extensions" strike out a flexible sheet of waterrepellent material" and insert instead of said brackets whereby to support said Signed and sealed this 8th day of Jul).r 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, IRL

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

